The solid form with peg himotôshi carved in sunken relief with a Karako holding a fan on his left hand and carrying on his right hand a tree branch divided into four sections that hold objects that depict the four working classes of Japan: Farmer, Merchant, Craftsman, and Samurai, as well as inlaid tortoise shell and coral beads. One of the hanging objets, the tablet with the inscription that reads: ‘Dai Fuku Cho” – Great Fortune Accounting Book-, depicts the Merchant class...

A fine and expressive carved stag horn netsuke of Shoki, The Demon Queller. Early 19th century.

Shoki is the Japanese styling of the Chinese spirit Chung Kui who protects households from malevolent demons. In this example the gifted carver shows Shoki studying closely, an off stage, mischievous oni whilst carefully hiding his Chinese sword close to his body.

Approximately 4.8cm high...

19th Century, excellently hand-carved in rare Persimmon Wood Netsuke depicting a realistic version of a Cicada that is laying upon a half Walnut shell. This netsuke is carved in intricate detail; faithful in form and image to the subject in nature that it represents. It is attributed to the Iwami School, because it presents all the characteristics of netsuke made by carvers of the region in Japan (See partial illustration - photo #10 - of the book 'Iwami Netsuke from the R. S...

This is a finely carved boxwood netsuke depicting the Skeleton of the Buddhist Priest Danka beating oa a Mokugyo, or Buddhist Temple Drum. Very nice detail and wonderful symmetry all throughout, rich patina. Signed Tomoyuki, a disciple of Tomochika, in an irregular oval reserve, on the bottom of the netsuke. Netsuke measures 0.92 inches (2.3cm) wide, 1.40 inches (3.5cm) long, and 1.27 inches (3.2cm) tall...

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of a muscular blind masseur or Totsuka Beggar crouching and trying to lift his hugely distended scrotum. He is wearing only a fundoshi. Excellent detail and patination; he grimaces as he attempts to lift the large stone. His left eye and teeth are inlaid with light and dark horn. Very nice uneven himotoshi. Signed Hakudosai on a rectangular reserve on the bottom of the netsuke...

19th Century, very fine hand-carved netsuke depiction of a Naturalistic Human Skull (See photo #11 for comparison with actual Human Skull), with seven natural material teeth in the upper jaw, and fine parietal lines covering the cranium. Attributed to Tomochika, because of its close likeness to a spectacular netsuke of the same subject auctioned by Lempertz Auction House (photo #9), that rivals the skulls made by Sukenao (Photo #10)...

This is an excellently and intricately carved boxwood netsuke depicting a Boat full of passengers (11 of them) dressed in various garb, carrying different articles and set in different poses. One of them, in the rear of the boat, seems to be either sunbathing or nurturing an ailment; another is wearing a large Amigasa Kasa hat; there is woman carrying a baby in her arms. It is full of great form and expressions. Unsigned. Netsuke has a rich patina...

19th Century, excellently hand-carved boxwood netsuke depicting a seated Tanuki, or Japanese Badger (raccoon dog) raising his right paw in order to beat his belly, or distended scrotum as it if were a drum. Outstanding hair work, a distinguishing characteristic of this netsuke master. Wonderful natural himotoshi that is formed by the bending tail of the Tanuki over its right hind leg...

This is a finely hand carved, 19th Century Kurokaki Wood Netsuke depicting Tenaga "Long Arms" being carried on the back of Ashinaga "Long Legs"...

19th Century, Japanese nicely hand-carved boxwood Netsuke depicting a character of a Japanese folk tale 'The story of the old man who made withered trees blossom': Hanasaca Jiisan. Here, Hanasaca is shown in one of the scenes of the folk tale where he is chopping down a tree to make a mortar. Hanasaca's dog who appeared to him in a dream is showing him the location of the tree...

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of a blind masseur or Totsuka Beggar crouching and trying to lift a stone, or possibly his hugely distended scrotum. He has the typical bump on his head. He squints as he attempts to lift the large object. He is wearing only a fundoshi. His right eye is inlaid with light colored horn. Excellent detail and patination. Netsuke measures 1.38 inches (3.5cm) wide, and 1.22 inches (3.1cm) tall...

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of Shogun Yoritomo (General Minamoto no Yoritomo 1147-99) sitting in his court; ready to begin audiences with his advisers and subjects. Netsuke measures 1.35 inches (3.4cm) wide, and 1.35 inches (3.4cm) tall. It is in excellent preserved condition, as may be seen in the posted photo Note: A reference to carver Ransen and his signature may be found on page 862 of Lazarnick's Netsuke and Inro Artists and how to Read their Signatures...

1800's, excellently hand-carved Japanese mix-materials netsuke depicting Okame performing the Japanese custom of Mamemaki (bean scattering) during Setsubun (the day before the beginning of Spring) to cleanse away all the evil (demons) of the former year, and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. In the scene depicted by the netsuke, Okame is covering her face while grinning when she sees the Oni's (demons) trying to hide from the beans that she is throwing and that are ...

18th Century, Japanese finely hand-carved boxwood Netsuke depicting one of the scenes from the Ten Oxen parables; The Return on Ox-back. The character on this parable is shown playing a flute while sitting on the back of an Ox. Chimney himotoshi that starts on the bottom of the irregular platform where the Ox stands, and continues through any of the spaces made by the legs of the animal. Rich patina, lustrous surface. Unsigned. Netsuke measures 1.54 inches (3.9cm) wide, and 1.51 i...

This is a finely carved boxwood netsuke depicting the Skeleton of the Buddhist Priest Danka beating on a Mokugyo, or Buddhist Temple Drum. Very nice detail and wonderful symmetry all throughout, rich patina. It sports a chimney himotoshi that begins on the bottom of the mokugyo, and continues around the spine of the skeleton. This is an unsigned and larger version of this popular Japanese legend. Netsuke measures 1.28 inches (3.3cm) wide, 1.45 inches (3.6cm) long, and 1.75 inches (4.5cm) t...

Antique Japanese boxwood netsuke of a persimmon, smooth and well carved with branch and two leaves.

Size: 1.5" x 1.5" x 1.25" H

Antique Japanese boxwood netsuke carving of a deer, laying very flat to the ground with his antlers tucked against his back.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 2.25" L x 1.25" W x .5" H

A fine Japanese boxwood netsuke carving of a tanuki, peering upwardly while holding a large sake container and a ledger book. He is a trickster spirit and is a highly amusing and popular icon. The netsuke has an expertly detailed carved form with a shell inlay signature on his underside.

Size: 1.75" W x 2" H